08/04/2009

Police Officer Found Guilty Of Teen's Death

A police officer has been found guilty of knocking down and killing a schoolgirl by dangerous driving.

Pc John Dougal, 41, a qualified advanced driver, was travelling at 94mph without blue lights or sirens, just moments before knocking down and killing 16-year-old schoolgirl Hayley Adamson in Newcastle in May.

The teenager was sent flying through the air and died instantly when hit by the officers Volvo estate in a residential area of the city’s West End last year.

A police driving expert told the court the patrol officer’s speed was "unjustified". The 41-year-old, however, claimed he had been driving safely.

The court heard Pc Dougal had been reacting to the Volvo's automatic number plate recognition system, which alerted him to a passing car, suggesting it was potentially linked to a crime.

However, the jury heard the plate recognition date was out of date.

(JM/BMcC)

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